Birding the Selsey Peninsula: 1st

Friday, 3rd September: A much warmer sunnier morning, despite the breeze still being fresh and from the north-east..........

Selsey Bill: There was a bit more visible migration overhead this morning, including a Tree Pipit, 20+ Yellow Wagtails, a number of which appeared to go round overhead several times, and a steady flow of Swallows and a few sand Martins. Full log below. (CN/SR/IP/BI/AH)

(0630-0830hrs) (NE, F4)

Gannet - 10E, 27W, 5os

Turnstone - 6

Mediterranean Gull - 2W

Sandwich Tern - 1E, 1W, 2os

Common Tern - 2W

Swallow - 109E, 4W

Sand Martin - 5E, 21W

House Martin - 12

Yellow Wagtail - 31E, 1W

Tree Pipit - 1E

Grey Wagtail - 1E

Wheatear - 1

Willow Warbler - 2

Wheatear (above), Willow Warbler & Sandwich Tern at the Bill (AH)

Also, local resident, Beverley Richardson, reported and photographed a Turtle Dove in her garden in Byways, just behind the Bill, in recent days, and it was still present this evening. (SR)

Turtle Dove at the Bill (B Richardson)

Ferry Pool: The two Curlew Sandpipers were on the pool early this morning, though only one was evident later, when there were also c200 Dunlin present.

There were many fewer other waders than of late, with just a Common Sandpiper, two Spotted Redshanks, a dozen Black-tailed Godwits and c30 Lapwings present, along with c80 Teal, ten Shelducks and eight Shovelers.

Also, a Cattle Egret and a Yellow Wagtail went over and a Grey Wagtail was in the channel opposite again. (AH/IP/GSh et al)

Curlew Sandpiper (above), Spotted Redshank & Grey Wagtail around the Ferry (AH)

Late this afternoon, the Curlews Sandpipers were showing well at the front of the pool, along with a Common Sandpiper and half a dozen Dunlin. (AH)

Curlew Sandpipers (above) & Common Sandpiper at the Ferry (AH)

North Wall: There was quite a bit of activity around the Halsey's Farm and Owl Point area again this morning, including two Spotted Flycatchers, a Redstart, three Whinchats, a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and Willow Warblers and half a dozen Whitethroats, whilst at least 100 Yellow Wagtail were still around the cows and c200 Swallows and c100 Sand Martins were overhead. A Green Sandpiper was also near the round pool.

At least four Wheatears, a few more Whitethroats, a couple of Reed and Sedge Warblers and 100+ Sand Martins and Swallows were along the wall, with another 40 Yellow Wagtails in Honer 2 field.

An Osprey was viewable distantly from the wall, going east over the southern end of the harbour, whilst a handful of Cattle Egrets were about, too, but the most interesting development was the rapid drop in water levels on the Breech Pool, with its muddy margins holding two Snipe, two Spotted Redshank, c50 Redshank, c60 Lapwings and c80 Black-tailed Godwits, along with a Water Rail and a Pintail among the Teal. (AH/BI/JDW/GSh et al)

Yellow Wagtails (above), Whinchat, Wheatear, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Reed Warbler, Sand Martin, Swallow & Spotted Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits around the North Wall (AH/BI)

Church Norton: A fairly brief look this evening produced a Greenshank, a Whimbrel, c25 Grey Plovers and similar of Curlew, Dunlin and Ringed Plovers on the mud and seven Pintail in the main channel.

There was also a distant, but spectacular gathering of at least 1000 hirundines that were dropping down to settle on the shingle bank beyond the harbour mouth. (AH)

Grey Plover (above) & hirundines at Church Norton (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to Stilt Pool - This morning there were quite possibly two Ospreys on the reserve, whilst a couple of Common sandpipers, a Pintail and a few Black-tailed Godwits, along with the big Canada Goose flock, complete with the leucistic bird and the eight hybrid types, were on the Stilt Pool.

There were also a few Yellow Wagtails, Sand Martins Swallows and a Stonechat about, along with a a Stonechat. (RBe)

Later on, a Hobby was hawking dragonflies over the ditches by Marsh Barn. (AT)

This evening, two Ospreys were again seen (by others!), whilst the Short-eared Owl was out hunting again, and a total of 16 Egyptian geese were among the Canada Geese.

At least 30 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Meadow Pipits, eight Whinchats, six stonechats, six Wheatears and ten Whitethroats were along the banks, but a lone Swallow was the only hirundine seen.

The Stilt Pool was quiet, with just a Snipe, eight Dunlin and 35 Black-tailed Godwits the only waders. (S&SaH)

Ospreys (above) & Canada Geese and hybrid geese at Medmerry (RBe)

Chichester Marina: There were at least three Marsh Harriers over the reedbed, as well as two Buzzards, mid-morning and a Common Sandpiper was on the boardwalk opposite by the sluice. (BI)

Common Sandpiper at Chichester Marina (BI)

Thursday, 2nd September: Yet another cool, grey and very breezy morning, as the wind stays firmly in the north-east..........

Selsey Bill: Another slow morning, with nothing really moving offshore or overhead, though 23 Swallows did go east and a Yellow Wagtail west, whilst two Sanderlings were on the beach. Full log below. (IP/AH)

(0700-0815hrs) (NNE, F4)

Gannet - 21E, 6W, 18os

Sanderling - 2

Turnstone - 12

Mediterranean Gull - 1E

Sandwich Tern - 3W, 6os

Swallow - 23E

House Martin - 2

Yellow Wagtail - 1W

Sanderlings (above), Gannets & Sandwich Terns at the Bill (AH)

Selsey: A Swift went over the house, to the south of the village, this evening. (IP)

Ferry Pool: There were two Curlew Sandpipers on the pool this morning, along with 20 Dunlin, three Spotted Redshank, five Avocets, c50 Lapwing and just 25 Black-tailed Godwits, whilst at least seven Shovelers, eight Shelduck and c70 Teal were also present.

Also, a Kingfisher, a Common Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, a Grey Wagtail, a Yellow Wagtail, a Cattle Egret and c20 Swallows were around the channel opposite, but a quiet tramway circuit just yielded a couple of Lesser Whitethroats and a handful of Whitethroats and Blackcaps. (AH/P&LH/DIS/DM)

Curlew Sandpipers and Dunlin (above), Spotted Redshank, Common sandpiper, Whimbrel, Teal, Lesser Whitethroat, Blackcaps, Whitethroat & Grey Wagtail around the Ferry (AH)

This evening the two Curlew Sandpipers were showing well on the pool, among 17 Dunlin. (AH)

Curlew Sandpipers on the Ferry (AH)

Long Pool: A Short-eared Owl was along the west side of the harbour this evening - possibly the rather dark bird seen at Medmerry yesterday. (D Illlman per sOS)

North Wall: A Spotted Flycatcher and a Sparrowhawk at the stables was followed this morning by the surprise of five Turnstones at the sluice gates. Another surprise was the recent display of mud in the Breech Pool with the consequent Black-tailed Godwits, Redshanks and a single Greenshank.

At least three Wheatears could be found along the rocks and in Honer 2 field some 15+ Yellow Wagtails flitted amongst the cattle, with a few Cattle Egrets present, too, while around 15 Curlew grazed behind and 20 Swallows and the occasional Sand Martin flew overhead.

The hedgerows contained both Common and Lesser Whitethroats while a Whinchat and Redstart were at Owl Point. (IH/LP/SP et al)

Church Norton: At least three Spotted Flycatchers and a couple of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs were in the sheltered bits of the churchyard and the family of Swallows were around the hide, but that was it for small birds, though a Hobby did shoot over.

The harbour wasn't much better in the harbour, with a Whimbrel, a Grey Plover and c20 Curlews being about it. (AH/DM/DIS/P&LH)

Spotted Flycatcher (above) & Willow Warbler at Church Norton (AH)

This evening an Osprey was over the far side of the harbour. (AW)

Osprey from Church Norton (AW)

Wednesday, 1st September: Another blustery day, though with the north-easterly breeze a little lighter than yesterday, and with a few sunny spells after a grey start.....

Selsey Bill: Three Sanderlings, a Fulmar and a steady flow of Gannets, all heading east, was about it this morning. Full log below. (SR/IP/AH)

(0655-0810hrs) (NNE, F4)

Fulmar - 1E

Gannet - 71E, 29W, 10os

Teal - 12W

Common Scoter - 2E

Sanderling - 3E

Dunlin - 1

Turnstone - 7

Sandwich Tern - 2W

House Martin - 6

Sandwich Tern (above) & Gannet at the Bill (AH)

Warner Lane Paddocks: A Redstart and two Whitethroats were in the paddocks this morning, with c100 Swallows and c50 House Martins feeding towards the windmill area. (AH)

Redstart at Warner Lane paddocks (AH)

Ferry Pool: There were three Curlew Sandpipers on the pool early on, though only one remained for the morning, along with five Spotted Redshanks, five Avocets, c30 Dunlin, c50 Lapwing, c40 Black-tailed Godwits, 11 Shelduck and c25 Teal. (RJF/AH/TR/TG-P et al)

Curlew sandpiper and Dunlin (above), Spotted Redshank and Black-tailed Godwit & Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Spotted Redshank and Black-tailed Godwits at the ferry (AH)

Church Norton: There was no sign of the Wryneck along the Severals this morning, though an immature Hobby on Tern Island was unusual. (AB/IH/SP et al)

North Wall: The hedges and fields between Halsey's Farm and Owl Point were very productive this morning, with two Spotted Flycatchers and several Whitethroats, Lesser Whitethroats, Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs in the sheltered spots, three Whinchats and a Wheatear around the tidal inlet and at least 150 Yellow Wagtails around the cattle, with c500 Swallows and c200 Sand Martins overhead and settling occasionally. Also, a Peregrine went over. (AH/NR/TR et al)

Whinchat (above), Whinchats and Yellow Wagtails, Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear, Spotted Flycatcher, Chiffchaff, Swallow, swallows and Sand Martins & Peregrine around Halsey's Farm (AH)

Medmerry: Easton Lane to the Stilt Pool - The first Short-eared Owl of the autumn was showing well around the Stilt Pool this evening, and there were also c50 Yellow Wagtails with the cattle on the pool, up to seven Whinchats and six Stonechats in the fields opposite and at least 500 Sand Martins overhead.

A Hobby and four Cattle Egrets were towards the poplars, but the banks were quiet, with just a calling Greenshank out on the reserve and a Common Sandpiper, half a dozen Dunlin, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, a juvenile Ringed Plover, six Lapwing and c30 Black-tailed Godwits the only waders noted.

Also, a handful of Sandwich Terns were offshore, few Wigeon were on the Stilt Pool and 11 Egyptian Geese were among c400 Canada Geese out on the stubble fields. (AT/AH/S&SaH)